HR5587
Hearing scheduled
HEATS Act
- Federal
- House
- Introduced Sep 26, 2025
- Session 119
Bill Text
Version EHThis Act may be cited as the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026 or the HEATS Act.
The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
The Secretary shall not require an operator to obtain a Federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production activities conducted on a non-Federal surface estate, provided that—
the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action; and
the operator submits to the Secretary a State permit to conduct geothermal exploration and production activities on the non-Federal surface estate.
A geothermal exploration and production activity carried out under subsection (a)—
shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;
shall require no additional Federal action;
may commence 30 days after submission of the State permit to the Secretary;
shall not be subject to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and
shall only be considered an undertaking under division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the National Historic Preservation Act), if, with respect to the State in which the activity occurs, there is no State law in effect that addresses the preservation of historic properties in such State.
Nothing in this section shall affect the amount of royalties due to the United States under this Act from the production of electricity using geothermal resources (other than direct use of geothermal resources) or the production of any byproducts.
The Secretary may conduct onsite reviews and inspections to ensure proper accountability, measurement, and reporting of the production described in subsection (a), and payment of royalties.
This section shall not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes.
In this section, the term Indian land means—
any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; and
any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held—
in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian;
by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or
by a dependent Indian community.
The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
The Secretary shall not require an operator to obtain a Federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production activities conducted on a non-Federal surface estate, provided that—
the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action; and
the operator submits to the Secretary a State permit to conduct geothermal exploration and production activities on the non-Federal surface estate.
A geothermal exploration and production activity carried out under subsection (a)—
shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;
shall require no additional Federal action;
may commence 30 days after submission of the State permit to the Secretary;
shall not be subject to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and
shall only be considered an undertaking under division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the National Historic Preservation Act), if, with respect to the State in which the activity occurs, there is no State law in effect that addresses the preservation of historic properties in such State.
Nothing in this section shall affect the amount of royalties due to the United States under this Act from the production of electricity using geothermal resources (other than direct use of geothermal resources) or the production of any byproducts.
The Secretary may conduct onsite reviews and inspections to ensure proper accountability, measurement, and reporting of the production described in subsection (a), and payment of royalties.
This section shall not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes.
In this section, the term Indian land means—
any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; and
any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held—
in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian;
by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or
by a dependent Indian community.
Legislative Timeline
22 actions-
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3073-3077)
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Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
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DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5587.
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The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
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On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
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Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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Rule H. Res. 1189 passed House.
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Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
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Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
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Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 531.
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Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
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Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
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Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
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Introduced in House
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Introduced in House
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Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.